Local conference to discuss practice of history in the classroom
Those who authored common core requirements for schools, de-emphasizing local history, stressing standardized tests and rote memorization, serve to preclude the joy of discovery and independent thinking, said Genesee County Historian Michael Eula, Ph.D.
Visiting museums or archives nurtures the joy of discovering and independent thinking, Eula said.
A local history conference at Genesee Community College on Saturday in Batavia, will explore disaster planning, the state of history in Genesee County, teaching history in classrooms, and Confederate monuments.
Eula will be doing a presentation at 9:15 a.m. on the state of history in Genesee County. Presentations run throughout the day until 2:30 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building, at GCC’s Batavia Campus.
Eula said after three decades of historical practice, he has been continuously awestruck by the levels of commitment, talent and devotion that those in the county display in their quest to discover the history of Genesee County.
A topic in Eula’s presentation is about the practice of history in the classroom.
“[It] is not always connected to the purity of purpose and the energy articulated by our County’s public historians,” Eula said.
History teachers have the task of synthesizing the local history of the county, Eula said.
“Young people – our future – need to be brought more fully into our historical conversations,” Eula said.
Eula said he believes local schools are under pressure from state and federal officials to teach materials that are consistently national and international.
“The tone that is set is that somehow local history has a small part to play in an understanding of how contemporary society came into being,” Eula said.
One consequence of the common core is an erosion of a history, tending to build pride in one’s past, Eula said.
“[It’s] the kind of self-esteem that makes one proud of their community,” Eula said. “This consequence may in fact tell us much about the ideological motivation of those on the state and federal level who seem to view local history with suspicion,” Eula said.
Public and private historians are welcome to attend the conference, as well as history buffs of all ages. The conference is being sponsored by the Genesee Community College History Club and the Genesee County Federation of Historical Agencies.
A presentation called “Tracing Lineal Heritage/Daughters of the Revolution,” will be at 10:15 a.m., a panel discussion for disaster planning for historical organizations and museums will be at 11 a.m., and a discussion considering Confederate statues, memorials and symbols will be at 1:15 p.m.
Derek Maxfield, GCC associate professor of history, History Club advisor and president of the Genesee County Federation of Historical Agencies, said in a press release, that they put together a day of interesting programs that should appeal to a wide variety of history-minded folk.
“I am especially interested in the session on disaster planning and the panel discussion about the Confederate monument controversy,” Maxfield said.
Historical agencies and museums are invited to set up displays for visitors to browse.
Registration for the event is $25 and includes a boxed lunch. If you wish to attend sessions without lunch, registration is $12. Those wishing not to have lunch may register the day of the event and pay at the door.
